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Whodunnit? JK Rowling’s secret life as wizard crime writer revealed

JK Rowling says she found writing a crime novel under a male pseudonym to be a ‘liberating experience’ (Mike Marsland)

JK ROWLING has secured another literary coup by writing an acclaimed detective novel in the guise of a first-time author.

The Harry Potter creator, purporting to be Robert Galbraith, a former military man, won plaudits from top crime writers who read the book without knowing she was behind it.

The Cuckoo’s Calling, which features a war veteran turned private investigator called Cormoran Strike, was published to critical acclaim in April. One reviewer described it as “a scintillating debut”. Another praised the “male” author’s ability to describe women’s clothes.

Rowling’s authorship was revealed by The Sunday Times after it investigated how a first-time author “with a background in the army and the civilian security industry” could write such an assured debut novel. It has sold more than 1,500 copies in hardback.

Rowling said yesterday: “I had hoped to keep this secret a little longer because being Robert Galbraith has been such